"No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear… The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing… There is a sort of invisible blanket between the world and me. I find it hard to take in what anyone says…"
(C. S. Lewis, from A Grief Observed, a journal of his thoughts and feelings after the death of his wife, Joy)

When a Loved One Dies

Ultimately, no one can prepare you for your experience of grief and loss. Each person reacts uniquely to the loss of a loved one. Your grief is unique. Your bereavement is your own, and it can feel devastating. The loss of a loved one can change your life. Even if we believe that we are strong or well-prepared, the feelings of grief can be intense. These feelings are natural – feelings of pain, longing, vulnerability, confusion, sorrow, anxiety, fear, and anger emerge at the time of your loved one's death and often continue for many months.

During this time of grief, you may find relationships changing. Your daily routines and roles may be altered. Your basic assumptions about life may change temporarily, or even permanently. You may face the anxiety and unexpected adventure of reshaping your life. You may not know where to turn for support, care, and help along such an uncharted journey.

The Seasons Hospice team is available to walk with you on your journey through grief and bereavement. We offer a variety of bereavement services, which can include the following:

Person-to-person support:
We are available for counseling, companionship, or conversation -- whether in person, by phone, e-mail, or postal correspondence, from the time of death to a year after your loved one's death. A personal visit request begins with a simple phone call.

Memorial services:
Seasons offers a Celebration of Remembrance that is ecumenical and inter-faith in perspective. We focus on remembering the meaning, purpose, and impact of your loved one's life, regardless of religious affiliation.

Educational support groups:
You'll find that Seasons provides a safe and supportive place for bereaved people to share experiences of loss with each other, to learn from each other about ways to cope and heal, and to form new friendships.

Written resources:
We have a library of materials available that can help you understand and follow your journey through grief and bereavement.

Who Can Benefit?

Any family member, partner, friend, or caregiver of a hospice patient may ask for all hospice bereavement services.

Anyone who has suffered a recent loss may attend our educational support groups.

A listing of Winter 2015 grief support group offerings by state, always offered free by Seasons Hospice.

Arizona:
Seasons is forming a grief support to begin in early 2015. For more information about this group or any other bereavement services, please call us at 480-606-1011.

California-Los Angeles:
Bereavement Support Group fourth Thursday of every month.

Contact Stephen Peterson, Bereavement Coordinator, at 866/278-7500 if you are interested or would like any other type of additional bereavement support.

California-San Diego:
Drop in group 2nd Tuesday of each month 5:45-7:00 pm

At the Seasons Office

16745 W. Bernardo Drive Suite 240

San Diego

Jan 6: Common Grief Responses

Feb 10: Journaling Your Grief

March 10: Anger and Grief

April 14: Depression and Grief

May 12: Grief and Children

June 9: What Does Better Look Like?

July 14: Who Am I Now?

California- Northern
San Jose Area

The programs below are included in our Bereavement Support Program. Please call the office at 408-337-3018 for additional details.

1st Monday of the month, 4 PM

Merrill Gardens - Village Green

7600 Isabella Way, Gilroy, 95020

3rd Monday of the Month, 1:30 PM

The Meadows

110 Wood Road, Los Gatos, 95030

Last Wednesday of the month, 6:30 PM

Westmont of Morgan Hill

1009 Cochrane Rd., Morgan Hill, 95037

California- Orange

January - Grief 101: How to take care of yourself

Tuesday Jan. 13 at 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Wednesday Jan. 28 at 1:00 - 2:30 pm

February - Grief and Relationships: What to say and do

Tuesday Feb. 10 at 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Wednesday Feb. 25 at 1:00 - 2:30 pm

March - Planning for the Future

Tuesday Mar. 10 at 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Wednesday Mar. 25 at 1:00 - 2:30 pm

All workshops will be offered at the Seasons Office:

750 The City Drive South #120

Orange, CA 92868

Please RSVP to 714-740-3520 one week prior to the workshop.

Delaware:
Tuesday/Twice- a-month 4p-5p (Episcopal Church in Dover)

Wednesday/Twice-a-month 1030a-1130a (Newark Senior Center)

Florida:
Support group in Aventura. Venue is twice a month coordinated between Mt. Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center/ Aventura and Seasons Hospice. The group will meet the second and fourth Monday of each month in 2845 Aventura Boulevard, Suite 140 waiting room, 10-11 AM.

The Beautiful Gate Cancer Support & Resource Center:

6600 NW 27th Ave. Suite A-7

Miami, Florida 33147

Phone: 305-836-3408/Fax: 305-836-1230/ www.thebeautifulgateinc.org

Men’s prostate support group (Miami location) held every 3rd Monday of each month from 6:30pm-8:00pm

Breast cancer support group (Miami Location) held every 1st Thursday of each month from 6:00pm-8:00pm

Mt Sinai. Bereavement Support group. Will be held once a month. Once a month on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 2:00- 3:30 PM. Please call our office for exact location.

IPU caregivers support group. Held the Second Friday of the Month at 3pm at Seasons Hospice IPU. 3 Toppel. 5200 NE 2nd ave. Miami. 305-7623883

Georgia:
The Bereavement team in Atlanta, Georgia offers bereavement support groups throughout Metro Atlanta. Please contact the local office at 404-250-4950 for more information if you are interested in attending one of the established support groups or need individualized bereavement support.

Indiana:
Monthly Grief Support Groups from 3:00-4:30 pm:

Jan. 9th

Feb. 13th

March 13th

At our new location: 1099 N. Meridian Street, Ste 905

Indianapolis, IN 46204

(866) 400-9692

Seasons Hospice also offers intensive grief workshops and support groups for our pediatric patients’ families on an as needed basis. If you are interested in joining one of these groups, please call our toll free number {866.400.9692} to register.

Maryland:
Please call 410-689-7400 for more info.

Massachusetts:
Life after Loss Bereavement Support Group

First Monday of every month

(beginning Jan. 5, 2015)

6 p.m.

Mansfield, MA

Healing From Loss: A Grief Support Group

Second and fourth Tuesday of every month

(beginning Jan. 8, 2015)

6 p.m.

Jamaica Plan, MA

Please call Nancy Sherman, Director of Supportive Care, at (617)454-0200 to register or request more information

1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month Two Sessions: 1pm-2:15pm; 6:45pm-8pm

Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care

27355 John R Rd

Madison Heights, MI 48071

800-370-8592

Facilitated by Rev. Dr. Raafat Hanna-BC

December 4, 2014-March 26, 2015

Thursdays 5:30pm-7:00pm

No class Feb 26, 2015

Wayne County:

Sinai Grace Hospital

6071 West Outer Drive

Detroit, MI 48235

Second Floor M202 (313)966-3452

Facilitated by Chaplain Judy Schlueter and Sarah Olechowski MT-BC

Every Tuesday 6:30pm-7:30pm

Oakland County:

Men's Bereavement Support Group

Clarebridge of Farmington Hills

Locations TBD

Monthly Lunch Gathering

Facilitated by Rev. Dennis Saulino

Please call 800-370-8592 for dates/locations

Lockwood of Waterford

1407 Skipper Dr

Waterford, MI 48327

(248) 618-0777

Facilitated by Rev. Dennis Saulino

1st Tuesday of each month

11:00am-12:30pm

Missouri:

Coping with Loss Support Group

Westchester House

550 White Rd., Chesterfield 1st Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m.

(January 7, February 4, March 4)

Pennsylvania:

The Adult Bereavement Support Group is every third Monday of the month from 5:30-6:30 pm at the Phoenixville YMCA, 400 E Pothouse Rd, Phoenixville PA 19460

Texas-Dallas/Fort Worth:
Grief Support Group

2nd Tuesday of each month, 6 p.m.

8610 Greenville Ave., Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75243

Providing group and individual support through all types of loss.

Wisconsin:
In January we will be offering a Support Group titled: “Becoming Financially Fit After Loss”. It will be here at the office 6737 W. Washington Ave. West Allis WI 53214 in the Glass Patio Conference room. It will be offered twice: Tuesday 1/13/2015 at 6:00pm until 7:30pm and again on Saturday 1/17/2015 from 9:30am until 11:00am.

In February we will be offering a Support Group titled: “Cooking for one”. Location TBD. It will be offered twice. It will be on Tuesday 2/10/14 at 6:00pm until 7:30pm and again on Saturday 2/14/2015 from 9:30am until 11:00am.

In March we will be offering a Support Group titled: “Remembering and Recreating Traditions”. It will be here at the office 6737 W. Washington Ave. West Allis WI 53214 in the Glass Patio Conference room. It will be offered twice: Tuesday 3/10/2015 at 6:00pm until 7:30pm and again on Saturday 3/14/2015 from 9:30am until 11:00am.